Saturday A Taste of Flava

My Heart Is Heavy

Today, I want to share something that has been weighing heavily on my heart.

Over the past several weeks, I have found myself deeply affected by the conversations surrounding race in our country. Every time I open social media, I see anger, division, accusations, and people speaking about one another in ways that break my heart.

I finally realized why it has affected me so deeply.

This isn’t just about today’s headlines.

It’s about memories.

Years ago, I lived through experiences that changed me. I watched people I love experience racial profiling. I experienced being judged because of the color of my own skin. I found myself in situations where respect disappeared and race became the focus instead of our shared humanity.

Those experiences have never completely left me.

My family reflects several cultures and races. My daughters are Black, Japanese, and German. My granddaughter carries that same beautiful heritage. I’ve watched members of my own family be treated differently simply because of how they looked.

That pain is real.

So is the pain I’ve personally experienced.

That is why today’s conversations affect me so deeply.

Race has become one of the deepest divides in our society, and it breaks my heart.

I don’t believe we were meant to live divided from one another.

I believe racism is wrong.

I believe prejudice is wrong.

I believe hatred is wrong.

No matter who it comes from or who it is directed toward.

My hope has never been for one group to win over another.

My hope has always been that we learn to see the human being standing in front of us.

Behind every headline is a family.

Behind every opinion is a life experience.

Behind every face is a person carrying joys, struggles, hopes, disappointments, and dreams.

After writing for 365 consecutive days, I still believe stories have the power to bring people together.

I still believe kindness matters.

I still believe listening matters.

I still believe respect matters.

I don’t have all the answers.

I simply know that I don’t want hate to become normal.

I don’t want division to become our identity.

I want us to remember our humanity.

That’s the world I continue to hope for.

Blessings,

Lady Flava 🌻